Casing annulus tester for diagnostics and testing of a wellbore

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a casing tester for plugging and abandoning a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of testing an annulus defined between a first tubular string and a second tubular string includes engaging a first annular packer with an outer surface of the first tubular string and engaging a second annular packer with an outer surface of the second tubular string. The tubular strings extend into a wellbore. The method further includes injecting a test fluid between the packers until a predetermined pressure is exerted on the annulus.

1 . A method of regaining control over a subsea wellbore, comprising:
 deploying a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a wellhead of the subsea wellbore, wherein a first tubular string extends from the wellhead;   severing an upper portion of the first tubular string from a lower portion of the first tubular string, wherein the first tubular string is severed above the wellbore;   clamping a temporary wellhead to an outer surface of the first tubular string, wherein:
 the temporary wellhead comprises a first annular blowout preventer (ABOP), a clamp connected to the first ABOP by a flanged connection, and a spool connected to the first ABOP by a flanged connection, and 
 the temporary wellhead is clamped on the first tubular string above the subsea wellbore and adjacent to a sea-floor; and 
   engaging the first annular BOP with the first tubular string outer surface, thereby containing leakage from the subsea wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first tubular string is an outer tubular string,   the temporary wellhead further comprises a second ABOP connected to the spool by a flanged connection, and   the method further comprises engaging the second ABOP with an outer surface of an inner tubular string, and   the inner tubular string extends into the wellbore.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 an upper portion of the inner tubular string is also severed when the outer string upper portion is severed,   the method further comprises cutting and removing a portion of the lower outer tubular string portion to expose a corresponding portion of the inner tubular string lower portion, thereby forming a wedding cake configuration, and   the second ABOP is engaged with the exposed portion of the inner tubular string.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising removing the inner tubular string from the wellbore. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 injecting sealant into the wellbore, thereby plugging the wellbore; and   removing the temporary wellhead from the wellbore.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the temporary wellhead has an outlet, and   the method further comprises discharging fluid from the wellbore through the outlet.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the temporary wellhead further comprises a valve and a pressure gage, and   the method further comprises closing the valve and monitoring the pressure gage.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the temporary wellhead has an inlet, and   the method further comprises injecting fluid into the subsea wellbore via the inlet.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid is sealant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sealant is cement. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wellbore extends into a hydrocarbon bearing formation, and   the method further comprises injecting sealant into the subsea wellbore to seal the formation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 setting a bridge plug in the wellbore; and   injecting the sealant above the bridge plug.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular string is severed adjacent to the sea-floor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wellhead is a subsea wellhead. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular string is severed using the ROV.